Humans of Science: Catherine French

Who are today’s scientists? Inspired by the project “Humans of New York”, Ar Magazine turns the spotlight on individual humans of science every month.

Name: Catherine FrenchLab @ CCU: Neurobiology of Action labPost-doc Project: Investigating the functions of a protein called FOXP2, which is mutated in a speech and language disorder.

Catherine French comes from England, where she began her scientific career with a PhD at Oxford studying mutations related to cancer. She has since followed her favorite mutation across the ocean to the United States and now, Portugal. In her spare time she can be found delivering devilish serves on the tennis and netball courts.

What is your favorite science myth to de-bunk?
The idea that your genes are fixed and unchanging – in fact, our genomes are constantly changing. DNA can be gained, lost, or mutated, and these changes can be helpful, harmful or have no effect at all.

As a scientist, what is the most important message you have for people?
People should think for themselves.